By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced on Wednesday that 208 more incidents of looting were reported overnight in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
As the incidences spread to other parts of the country, the government deployed 5,000 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to work with other law enforcement agencies in an attempt to bring stability in the communities.
She said in a media briefing that while 208 more incidences – 52 in Gauteng and 156 in KwaZulu-Natal – were reported overnight, the country was starting to reap positive results since the deployment of the SANDF.
Since Tuesday night, 219 cases have been opened in Gauteng, with 680 arrests, while 464 cases were opened in KwaZulu-Natal, with 1068 arrests.
She further called on South Africans to refrain from panic buying as the government was working with the National Consumer Goods Council to ensure food security in the country.
“There is no shortage of food, there is enough food. Some stores are closed due to looting incidences,” said Ntshavheni.
The government has also called on members of communities to desist from acts of violence in an attempt to protect their businesses from the looters.
“We understand their concern for safety, but we urge them to work with law enforcement agencies to stop the looting,” said Ntshavheni.
She said the government was working with different sectors to bring an end to the violence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday told leaders of South Africa’s political parties that government was intensifying its efforts and working in partnership with civil society to curb public violence affecting various parts of the country.
Ramaphosa held an online engagement today with leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly, as part of a series of consultations with different sectors of society.
Ntshavheni added that different ministers have also been tasked to undertake monitoring visits to different areas where the violence and looting have been reported to assess the situation and to call for calm.
Meanwhile Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for the urgent restoration of order, peace and stability in the country in full respect of the rule of law.
This as parts of Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng have experienced violent protests, which have claimed lives and seen incidents of looting of public and private property as well as the destruction of infrastructure.
In a statement,Mahamat emphasised that failure to restore order, peace and stability could have a grave impact not only in the country but in the region as a whole.
“Mahamat condemns in the strongest terms the surge of violence that has resulted in the deaths of civilians and appalling scenes of the looting of public and private property, destruction of infrastructure, including the suspension of essential services in Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng and other parts of South Africa,” the African Union said.
The Chairperson has extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and sent well wishes for a speedy and full recovery to the wounded.